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On Glorious Things in Parking Lots.

Writer's picture: Sarah SpringSarah Spring

Moon Calendar, pot plant and cushions

Did you know that the moon follows a two-week cycle of waxing and waning? While I have always marveled at the moon in its many phases, I am ashamed to say I have only recently come to possess this knowledge. Whether this deficit of information was a result of a fault in my education or attention span I cannot say, but the closing of this gap has brought unexpected joy and richness to our lives.


This story started when we began our homeschooling journey. I used this weather chart to get us into a daily rhythm of paying attention to what was happening outside our walls and found myself falling strikingly short of being able to answer my children’s questions about what moon phase it was. Africa Moon calendar available here


child drawing in weather chart at table laiden with snack plate and quilt cloth
Image copyright of schoolhouse treehouse

The quest to give them an answer led me to this online lunar calendar, which then illuminated us to the fact that not only was a full moon a monthly occurrence, but that its arrival time is typically at an hour which is compatible with the bedtime routines of the very young. The first time we awaited the arrival of the lesser light that governs the night, our eyes were instead opened to the fact that our tree-rich garden offered us no clear view of the horizon, and it was only after a few hours that we caught our first sight of it. But the next month we were ready, and the solution to our problem did not lie where I thought it would.


Johannesburg used to be a vast grassland dotted with koppies (perfect for panoramic horizon viewing) but now it boasts of being the world’s largest man-made urban forest. And while development brought trees to block our views, it also provided buildings that offer the opportunity to gain higher ground. So when I searched in vain for a large rock on which to place my family, it became apparent that the best viewing spot was going to be our closest mall’s roof top parking. It wasn’t exactly the nature experience I had in mind, but with 2 hours free parking and five minutes from our home, it was worth a try. And how glad I am that we did.


The sun had set, the sky was darkening, and then it came. Large, bright and utterly glorious, familiar and new at the same time. The sight of the city’s bright lights below us felt like a mere suggestion of light compared to what rose in front of us. Seeing a thing of such bright brilliance rise above your city is a thrilling experience for a small child and the perspective shift is equally good for the city-dwelling adult. It was such a striking experience that it sparked a tradition. We have met with friends up there, eaten picnic dinners, exposed ourselves to bitterly cold winds, and once even caught a simultaneous sun set with moon rise.


family look at city view from balcony

person viewing moon with telescope

I am not certain if my children know that the moon follows a two week cycle. But they do know that the moon follows a predictable cycle that is wonderfully worth their while to pay attention to.


Next full moon at time of publishing is August 30th 2023.

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Alveary Grove is based in Southern Africa.

We are proudly from Africa and for Africa!

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